North Shore of Lake Ontario

 A definition of natural history - "A practice of attentiveness and receptivity to the more-than-human world, guided by honesty and accuracy."

                                                                    Thomas Lowe Fleischner 

13 July, 2024

     It had been a while since we had birded with Lisa, and Selwyn and Victoria, and I had promised Shannon to let her know about some birding days, so we all got together and headed for various points along the north shore of Lake Ontario. We were joined there by Shannon's daughter, Abbey, and her boyfriend, Preston.

     It was a perfect day to be down near the water, although by mid afternoon it was getting decidedly hot.

Humber Bay Park East, Toronto, ON

     Many people were out enjoying the start of the weekend, and birding - as might be expected in mid July - was a little slow.

     It didn't take us long, however, to locate a Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius), quite oblivious to the throngs strolling along the waterfront, and even the close proximity of an outdoor yoga class.

     A Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) at times seemed to be masquerading as a Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis).

     We don't focus so much on insects when we have others with us, but we couldn't resist taking a picture of this Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus grisecollis).

     For many years Red-necked Grebes (Podiceps grisegenga) have bred at this location, and 2024 was no exception.

     A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) surveyed his domain.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto, ON

     Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagitttaria latifolia) is a characteristic and visually appealing plant of wetlands throughout much of Ontario.

     The leaf structure is attractive enough by itself, and the flowers of this plant only add to its appeal.

     An immature male Red-winged Blackbird has survived the first rigours of independence and is making his way in life.

     Nearctic Blue Mud-dauber Wasp (Chalybion californicum) is a handsome insect with an interesting life style.

     From Wasps, Eric R. Eaton (2021) - "Wasps in the genus Chalybion notice the webs of their spider host while flying. They then land on the web and deftly pluck the snare to mimic a struggling insect. This draws the spider to its doom."

     You will note from the following picture that Preston is head and shoulders taller than the rest of us, and that proved to be a very useful attribute.

     Red-winged Blackbirds are renowned for their aggression in defence of their nest, and they zoomed in on the highest point - Preston's head. We may have to insist that he accompany us on all our outings during breeding season! At present he is not a dedicated birding fanatic and we have to work on that. As Abbey succinctly phrased it, "He doesn't especially like birds, but he likes me so he comes along." Long may that continue!

     A good-natured person had liberally strewn birdseed on a rock and a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) wasted no time in lining up at the buffet.

     Quickly, it was joined by House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and Red-winged Blackbirds.

     And a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) came to claim a share, without chivvying and bullying others, contrary to popular belief.

     Several turtles were hauled out on rocks and there was lively conjecture as to their species.

     The following picture shows Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans).

     And here are Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemis picta marginata).

     There was some discussion as to whether Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) had also joined the basking beauties, and I was leaning towards that conclusion at the time, yet none of Miriam's pictures show this species.

     A family of American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) provided great entertainment for us; it was of course heartwarming to see such success.

     It was Claude Monet who elevated water lilies to mythical status, but he is certainly not alone in appreciating their enduring beauty. They are an avatar of calm in troubling times.

     A Spotted Sandpiper pleased us greatly with a sprightly promenade along the mud.

     Who can fail to be uplifted by a Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)?

     Creeping Bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) is always beautiful, but exceptionally so on a hot summer's day.

     This oak (genus Quercus) was exceptionally pale and it was Lisa who identified it as suffering from a condition known as chlorosis.

     This was new information for me and I appreciated Lisa highlighting it for us.

      "A common cause of chlorosis is a deficiency of iron or manganese, both of which are present but unavailable in high pH soils (pH>7.2). Iron and manganese are needed by plants to form chlorophyll and to complete photosynthesis.  Stressors, such as temperature extremes, drought, poor drainage (which limits soil aeration) or restricted root growth, further limit nutrient uptake in plants sensitive to chlorosis." (The Morton Arboretum).

     One has to wonder whether the temperature extremes to which trees are now subjected will increase the incidence of this condition.

     A female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) is the very model of stability.

     Margined Calligrapher (Toxomerus marginatus) has been frequently featured on my blog giving you an idea of just how common it is, but I would wager that few see it.

     Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritus) seemed to favour the small harbour where many man-made perches were available.

     If one bird dominated our day it was Red-necked Grebe.

     Once again we encountered several breeding pairs.

     Cormorants and Mallards shared the water together in harmony.

     Maybe it was just too hot to squabble!

Douglas Kennedy Headland, Mississauga, ON

     The first order of business was to have lunch and we found a sapling providing enough shade for us all to sit on the grass and enjoy our picnic. 

     The playground was full of joyful children, the splashpads resounded with squeals of delight, and Greenbottle Flies (genus Lucilia) glistened in the sun.

     Guelder-Rose (Viburnum opulus) displayed the results of a fruitful season.

     Dogbanes (genus Apocynum) were prolific.....

     ..... and Alders (genus Alnus) looked terrific.

A. E. Crookes Park, Mississauga, ON

     Mere minutes from Douglas Kennedy Headland, the park was a hive of activity, with people enjoying the beach and the water, with hardly a parking space available. With all the hubbub it was hardly surprising that birds were few, other than for a few aerial gulls.

     A friendly White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) did, however, come to see us.

Bronte Harbour, Oakville, ON

     By the time we reached Bronte Harbour the mid afternoon heat was becoming quite oppressive, and the terns we had hoped to see lined up along the breakwater had been displaced by strolling humans and their dogs.

     It was fitting that we did see several Red-necked Grebes, the bird of the day without a doubt, and this time we had clear evidence of breeding success.

     It had been a great day with wonderful friends and a slow drive home did nothing to diminish the pleasure.

     We'll do it again soon.

Another Day along the Lake Ontario Shore

14 December, 2022

     We have a birding trip to Cuba planned for February for a group of eight including Miriam and me, and we thought it would be great to spend a day together enjoying the winter residents of the inshore waters of Lake Ontario and the adjacent terrestrial habitat. 

     Tina lives too far away to take part in a day trip and Selwyn and Victoria were otherwise occupied, but Miriam and I were joined by Lisa, Jim and Barb, and we spent a very enjoyable and productive day along the lake.

     Even before leaving home the sky put on a show to bid us welcome to the day.

Humber Bay Park West, Toronto, ON

     A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) was busy getting breakfast.

     Buffleheads (Bucephala clangula) were pleasingly common and often at close quarters.

Photo courtesy of Jim Bowman

     The thermometer registered minus 6.5 degrees and the benches and picnic tables were unoccupied.

     Two Northern Mockingbirds (Mimus polyglottos) were incredibly cooperative and this one perched no more than a metre from my head.

     A couple of police cars were present, blocking a car and apparently waiting for the driver to return. It's hard to believe, I know, but they showed not one bit of interest in these birds. Catching criminals was on their mind I suppose. Birding is much more fun.

     Ample berries provided the mockingbirds with their early morning sustenance.

     It was such a memorable encounter with a bird that is still far from common here. I would imagine it was the highlight of the day for everyone.

     I am sure that had Victoria been with us she would have danced a Bollywood routine in a frisson of delight, and Selwyn would have been working on the scientific name.

     White-winged Scoter (Melanitta deglandi) is usually seen far out from shore, so this lone male no more than twenty metres away was a special delight for all of us.

Photo courtesy of Jim Bowman

Humber Bay Park East, Toronto, ON

     The parking enforcement officials at this location are like zealous worker bees in enforcing fines, so we all made sure to pay for parking and display the receipt on our dashboards.

     Now to the important stuff - birding!

     A Porter Airways plane flew overhead, no doubt to remind us that for all our technical wizardry, we have still not been able to emulate the skill and manoeuvrability of a bird.

     Buffleheads were once again common and the following picture gives a good idea of just how small this diving duck is, with a Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) behind to show the contrast.

     All around us were Rock Doves (Columba livia).....

     ..... and House Sparrows (Passer domesticus).....

     These are two species that we have deliberately introduced into North America, yet now routinely disdain.  I find them charming, however, and I suspect that most of the population does too. It is only people "in the know" about birds that resent House Sparrows evicting native species from nesting sites, and probably think the only good thing about Rock Doves (aka pigeons) is that they provide food for urban Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus).

     But how many times have you seen people dining outdoors tossing crumbs to the perky little sparrows under their table, and relishing this brief inter-species intimacy. They are enjoying the sparrows. Before it was decided that pigeons and public monuments in Trafalgar Square in London didn't go together, an adoring public flocked there to feed the birds, and many a photo album is filled with pictures of children bedecked with pigeons on their heads and outstretched arms.

    So, embrace them, I say. I know I do.

    Everybody loves a Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus).

Photo courtesy of Jim Bowman

     A group of waterfowl gathered together, each species feeding in its own fashion, is the source of great contentment for a bird lover.

     All seems well with the world to see such an aggregation.

     Compare the size of a female Bufflehead with a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - such a difference!

     Don't ever undervalue the subtle beauty of a female Mallard. Not for her the gaudy green sheen on the head, nor a perky curled-up tail, but she is outfitted with elegance aplenty.

      Several Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) were present. Here is a parade of males.

     The sightings of Redhead (Aythya americana) are still spotty, but more will arrive soon.

     A Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) declined to show the bill from which it derives its name.

     Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) were quite common. 

     This is a species that despite a long association with people does not seem to have abandoned its wariness. 

     Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) needs no further comment from me. 

     If only I were an artist!

     Downtown Toronto loomed large in the background. Many people there work underground in a labyrinth of shops and businesses, like ants in a formicarium. Oh horror!

     Like Redheads, Common Goldeneyes (Bucephala albeola) have not yet arrived in their usual numbers, but Jim managed this fine picture of a male.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Toronto, ON

     I haven't been able to find out much about Colonel Samuel Smith, other than that these lands were part of his property in the 1800s. I'd vote for a name change to reflect its importance as a natural site and an important spring stopover site for Hudsonian Whimbrels (Numenius hudsonicus). Harry Lumsden Park has a nice ring to it, or Murray Speirs Nature Reserve perhaps. I suspect this is not going to happen!

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) and Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) were flocking together and were drawn to to Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina), feeding on its fruit.

     American Wigeon (Mareca americana) is a lovely little duck and we were enchanted by its presence.

     A Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) bobbed up and down on the water.

     It is not often that a Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) gives you a good look, and today's bird followed the rules to a tee!

     Gadwalls (Mareca strepera) were congregated exactly where we expected them to be.

     It was picturesque indeed to see them massing at the shore with wigeons. Such a beautiful sight!

Lakefront Promenade, Mississauga, ON

     The harbour was deserted at the this time of the year, as boats have been hauled out of the water.

     There was not much of a breeze and the flag was flapping limpidly.

     We didn't see many birds at this location, so I will not break the areas down into their different pods.

     A Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) was pecking away at what seemed to be pita bread, although how it found its way into the tree is unknown.

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was foraging in a more conventional fashion.

     This American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) appeared to be stepping out on the town.

     And a Ring-billed Gull surveyed the world from its favourite perch.

Lakeshore Boulevard, Oakville, ON

     This Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) had become a casualty of the carnage inflicted on wildlife by vehicular traffic. Distressing to see.

LaSalle Park and Marina, Burlington, ON

     This, our final stop of the day, was as agreeable as it always is.

     A Bufflehead showed its colours, only seen in the right light.

     At least a dozen American Coots (Fulica americana) plied the water, diving frequently to secure food.

Picture courtesy of Jim Bowman

     Mallards were both common and appealing.

     LaSalle Park is the best place I know to find American Black Duck (Anas rubipres).

     There were many Canvasbacks (Aythya valsineria) present, mostly far out, but a few close enough for a decent picture.

     I am sure there was no less than a hundred Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) at the park and it makes me happy to see how successful their recovery has been.

     The pure white domestic Mallard we saw last week is still present, charming people with its beauty.

     Back on shore it was time for a stretch.

Photo courtesy of Jim Bowman

     Several Red-breasted Mergansers (Mergus serrator) were observed.

Red-breasted Merganser ♀

Red-breasted Merganser ♂

     Common Goldeneye was a little more common than at earlier locations but still in nowhere near the numbers that might be expected as the winter advances.

Common Goldeneye ♂

Common Goldeneye ♀

     Wherever we walked Black-capped Chickadees followed us, often little groups of a half dozen or more, accustomed to people bringing food. Alas, we had none with us.

     White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) often travels with chickadees; uncharacteristically this individual was on the ground.

     The light was fading and Jim, Barb and Lisa had already left and we made our way back to the car.

     A Canada Goose swam towards us as if to declare, "See you again soon."

     It was a fitting end to a splendid day.